WSP, local law enforcement begin DUI emphasis patrols

Washington State Patrol troopers announced that the agency has joined with five other states to form Western States Traffic Safety Coalition – the coalition is enforcing a DUI emphasis patrol this week due to the upcoming New Year's Eve holiday.

“The mission of that coalition is to reduce impaired driving, especially around holidays,” said Sergeant Darren Wright.

In addition to Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona are taking part in the effort.

“We’re working together to get messaging out to let people know that there’s no safe place for impaired drivers to hide,” said Sergeant Wright.

There will be an increased number of troopers to supplement regularly assigned patrols.

The troopers selected to participate in these extra patrols include trained, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, officers that can identify and detect impaired drivers.

There will also be troopers out that are trained as Drug Recognition Experts and can identify what drugs a driver may be impaired by.

Party-goers in the Tri-Cities can save $10 on Lyft services by using the promo code PLANB4TRI into the Lyft app. The code is valid until February 3rd, 2020.